Yankees' Cam Schlittler on Boston trolls' attacks: Didn't they learn their lesson?

Schlittler expects a hostile welcome from Red Sox fans when he makes his first start at Fenway Park this week.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:48pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion and intensity of a baseball pitcher, with overlapping planes of navy, crimson, and white, conceptually representing the heated rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox, as pitcher Cam Schlittler prepares to face Boston's hostile fans at Fenway Park.NYC Today

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler is bracing for a hostile reception from Boston Red Sox fans when he makes his first start at Fenway Park this week. Schlittler, who grew up in Massachusetts, dominated the Red Sox in the playoffs last year, and Boston fans have continued to attack him on social media. Schlittler says he's ready to give the Red Sox haters more to complain about.

Why it matters

The long-standing rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is one of the most intense in sports, and the animosity between the fan bases often spills over onto social media. Schlittler's success against the Red Sox has only fueled the flames, and his return to Boston will be a high-profile test of how he handles the pressure and hostility from the opposing fans.

The details

Schlittler, who was drafted by the Yankees in 2022, made his MLB debut last July and quickly emerged as a dominant force, going 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts. His breakout moment came in the 2025 Wild Card Series, when he pitched 8 scoreless innings and struck out 12 to lead the Yankees to a 4-0 win over the Red Sox, eliminating them from the playoffs. Schlittler says he was shocked by the level of vitriol and personal attacks he received from Red Sox fans on social media leading up to that game, which ended up fueling his performance.

  • Schlittler made his MLB debut in July 2025.
  • Schlittler pitched 8 scoreless innings and struck out 12 in the 2025 Wild Card Series against the Red Sox.
  • Schlittler is set to make his first start at Fenway Park this week.

The players

Cam Schlittler

A 24-year-old pitcher for the New York Yankees who grew up in Massachusetts and was drafted by the Yankees in 2022. He has emerged as a dominant force in the Yankees' rotation and is set to make his first start at Fenway Park this week.

Giancarlo Stanton

An outfielder for the New York Yankees who expects the hostile atmosphere at Fenway Park to motivate Schlittler.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who says Schlittler handles the noise and pressure well.

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What they’re saying

“(You'd) think after last time, how much they were talking before, that they might be trying to quiet it down a little bit.”

— Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees pitcher

“Every day, you need some extra motivation. You need extra kicks. That's definitely a good one and one that I don't think will go away anytime soon, as long as it stays within itself and he directs that focus to the mound and keeps out the noise, which he's very good at doing.”

— Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees outfielder

“He handles that stuff well. He's pretty good at dealing with the noise.”

— Aaron Boone, New York Yankees manager

What’s next

Schlittler is set to make his first start at Fenway Park this week, where he expects a hostile reception from Red Sox fans. The atmosphere and intensity of the rivalry will be a test for the young Yankees pitcher, who has already shown he can thrive under pressure.

The takeaway

Cam Schlittler's success against the Red Sox has made him a target for Boston fans, who have continued to attack him on social media even after he dominated them in the playoffs last year. Schlittler's ability to handle the pressure and hostility of pitching at Fenway Park will be a key factor in the Yankees' rivalry with the Red Sox this season.